PROF. E. H. CRANE’SManual of InstructionsTO UNDERTAKERS.
PROF. E. H. CRANE’SManual of InstructionsTO UNDERTAKERS.
PROF. E. H. CRANE’SManual of InstructionsTO UNDERTAKERS.
PROF. E. H. CRANE’S
Manual of Instructions
TO UNDERTAKERS.
CHAPTER I.Ancient Embalming.
It is my object in these instructions to lay before the undertakers of this country a minute and detailed description of theonly reliableprocess, andbest method known, for the preservation and embalming of the dead, and at the same time to submit to them the important details to be followed out so condensed and free from unnecessary and superfluous language that the methods used shall be plain to any one, believing that any matter not strictly pertaining to the subject is out of place in a Manual of Instruction.
Long study and experiment in this interesting science has brought to light many valuable and practical results, and it is from actual tests and experiments extending over nearly a quarter of a century that I have devoted to this subject that has enabled me to say that with the aid of my Excelsior Preservative the Undertaker may rely with entire and perfect confidence, upon meeting with complete successin each and every case to which he may be called, and I can assure him that after using the Excelsior Preservative, he will have no desire to return to the use of ice, or any other preparation he may have used in the past.
The Egyptians embalmed their dead by a tedious process, which occupied from sixty to ninety days—constant attention and care being required. They always removed the brain, stomach and intestines, which last were sometimes deprived of their excrement and replaced in the body, and when they were called to embalm very fleshy subjects all of the adipose or fatty substances that could be removed were taken out of the bodies; this done, they were next bathed, or even immersed, in a solution of Arsenic, Asphaltum, Oil of Cedar, Gum Myrrh, and any or all of the aromatic spices that they could possess themselves of without respect to kind or quantity. After which the body was subjected to slow and steady heat for from sixty to ninety days; the application of the solution being repeated several times (smoke was also used in some cases); when the moisture was finally expelled from the body they were wrapped or rather wound with narrow strips of linen cloth from head to foot. These cloths were also saturated with Asphaltum, Arsenic and Gum Myrrh, which soon became dried and cemented together in a manner to prevent moisture from permeating the body as long as the wrapping remained intact.
Thus it will be observed that the Egyptian method is not a lost art, as has been supposed, neither would any person living under the present age of improvement allow it to be practiced on their dead.
It has been often remarked by those not informed in such matters, that the Egyptian method could not be fully analyzed or a new and better method discovered to take its place; but, fortunately, this is a great mistake.
The Peruvians equalled the Egyptian method without removing anything from the body, and all they used was smoke and heat. When the moisture was fully evaporated from the body it was placed in a dry, rocky tomb. Many of thesemummieshave been discovered in a fine state of preservation, and few, if any, are prepared to say but that these ancient dead have been lying in their rock-hewn tombs as long as the so-called Egyptian mummies have in the catacombs of Egypt.
I have given the above, as you will be asked many times in regard to the Egyptian method of embalming, and it will be a very great advantage to you in being able to give the information called for.
There are a number of so-called preserving or embalming preparations, sold as such (some having a little merit as a temporary preservative), butnone of thempossessing all the requirements of a perfect preservative, deodorizer and embalming compound.
Perfection, however, has been attained in the Excelsior Preservative, it being a perfect deodorizer, and for preserving and embalming the deadit surpasses anything knowneither inancientormoderntimes.
Having explained the ancient method of preserving the dead, I will now take up the science as perfected, with the aid of the Excelsior Preservative andthe practical instructions, which I herewith lay before you.
With this manual in your possession, you will be enabled to attain that perfection in the art of preserving and embalming the dead which the educated and refined taste of the people of this day require of your profession.
[Fleuron]